Matcha Green Tea Benefits
So what are Matcha green tea health benefits?
High Antioxidant Content
Antioxidants are nutrients and enzymes responsible for fighting against the negative effects of UV radiation, giving us younger-looking skin, and preventing a number of diseases. Most antioxidants can be found from such foods as raw fruits, green veggies, and even dark chocolate. However, in a bowl of Matcha green tea, it contains over 5 times as many antioxidants as any other food eg Match green tea contains about 60 times that of vegetable Spinach and 7 times that of Dark Chocolate.
Loaded with Catechin, EGCg
Among antioxidants, the catechin called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) is the most potent and beneficial to the human body. Out of all the antioxidants, EGCg is the most widely recognized for its cancer fighting properties. These EGCg seek out oxygen free radicals and neutralize their harmful effects thereby protecting the body from inflammations associated with oxidative stress. Scientists have found that Matcha green tea contains over 100 times more EGCg than any other tea on the market.
Stronger Immune System
Matcha is rich in antioxidant components including polyphenols, catechins, chlorophyll and amino acids such as L-theanine and theophylline. These antibiotic agents collectively contribute in boosting the immune defense of the body and helps provide protection against various antigens, bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Research shows that the antioxidant catechin EGCg binds to the lipid membrane to protect against influenza A virus, hepatitis B and C virus, herpes virus, adenovirus Staphylococcus aureus bacteria and Candida albicans yeast. Further studies have even suggested that the nutrients in Matcha may have the ability to inhibit the attacks of HIV on human T-cells.
Mental Alertness and Enhances Calm
The amino acid L-Theanine is contained in the leaves used to make Matcha. Matcha green tea contains up to 5 times more L-Theanine than conventional green tea. L-Theanine in matcha green tea possesses anti-anxiolytic properties that promotes the production of alpha waves in the brain that puts it into a deeply relaxed state called alpha state. These alpha waves encourage relaxation and induce a profound feeling of mental clarity and more alert state of mind. Study suggests that L-Theanine acts as neurotransmitter which exerts calming effect on the brain without causing any drowsiness caused by other “downers.”
Boosts Mood, Memory and Concentration
Stress is known to induce the brain’s beta wave activity, leading to a more agitated state. The alpha wave activity mentioned above can reduce the physiological and psychological stress responses by inhibiting the neuron excitation, promote relaxation and even lower blood pressure. You might call matcha a “mood food”. L-Theanine is a popular ingredient in supplements designed to put you in a good mood as it contains Dopamine and Seratonin.
One cup of matcha green tea can energize, enlighten and relax you for more than 6 hours. It is no wonder that Chinese Daoists and Japanese Zen Buddhist monks drinks Matcha green tea to maintain deep concentration during their meditation sessions and to relax while remaining alert.
Detoxifies the Body
As matcha is shade-grown, this result in high levels of chlorophyll production in the plant Camellia sinensis. Although scientifically not proven yet, chlorophyll is purported to be a natural detoxifier. It detoxifies the body by clearing the body of toxins especially within colon walls, heavy metals, poisons, dioxins and hormone disrupters. Chlorophyll cleanses the blood and help to maintain the alkalinity of the blood and tissues by delivering oxygen and other nutrients to cells within the body thus cleansing the body at the molecular and cellular levels. Chlorophyll is the pigment responsible for giving leaves their beautiful vibrant green color.
Burn those Calories for Weight Loss
This is one of the most enjoyed benefits of green tea and matcha. Drinking Matcha green tea has also been shown to increase metabolism and help the body burn fat about 4.5 times faster than average. A 1999 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that matcha green tea extract can stimulate fat oxidation and thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is the process of heat production within the human body or rate of body burning calories. It was found that consuming green tea increased thermogenesis from 8-10% to 35-43% of daily energy expenditure. Therefore it is a good drink before you hit the threadmill. You may just burn 25% more fat while exercising!